Process and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of profiled glass bars

ABSTRACT

A process for rolling profiled glass bars and an apparatus for this purpose whereby a horizontal roller arrangement with at least one cylindrical roll surface and a pair of lateral roller arrangements, each with a respective roll surface contact the glass ribbon to deform the latter into the desire profile. Means is provided for driving the outer roll arrangements at 0.5 to 1.5 percent higher peripheral speeds than the central roll arrangement.

United States Patent [151 3,660,066 Pfluger 5] May 2, 1972 [54] PROCESSAND APPARATUS FOR THE [56] References Cited OF UNITED STATES PATENTS3,226,219 12/1965 Jamnik ..65/l85 X [72] Inventor: Rudolf Pfluger,Baden, Austria 3,248,198 4/1966 Jamnik et al... .....65/253 X AssigneezRubo venriebsgesenschaft MBJL, wien, 3,457,057 7/1969 Gardon ..65/119 XAusma Primary ExaminerArthur D. Kellogg [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1962Att0rney1(arl F. Ross [211 App]. No.: 872,513 ABSTRACT [52] U S Cl 65/9465/101 65/106 A process for rolling profiled glass bars and an apparatusfor i 65/185 65/255 this purpose whereby a horizontal roller arrangementwith at [51] Int CL C05) 13/06 least one cylindrical roll surface and apair of lateral roller ar- [58] Field 107 185 rangements, each with arespective roll surface contact the 65/186 6 5 1 glass ribbon to deformthe latter into the desire profile. Means 1 8/10 is provided for drivingthe outer roll arrangements at 0.5 to 1.5

percent higher peripheral speeds than the central roll arrangement.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 2 I972 SHEET 20F 2 RUDOLFPFLUGER I N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS MANUFACTURE OFPROFILED GLASS BARS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 7 This invention relates to aprocess and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of profiled glassbars by a movement of a plastically deformable flat glass ribbon on aroller bed having rollers which have different inclinations anddifierent diameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to guide flat glass ribbons in aplastic condition into a roller bed, which comprises profiled rollers orrollers at different inclinations, which rollers are arranged to definea profile. During its movement on the roller bed which defines aprofile, the plastic flat glass ribbon is shaped to conform to theprofile of this roller bed and the final product which is dischargedfrom the shaping apparatus is a profiled glass ribbon, which isstabilized by cooling. An annular roller may be used in this way to formglass cylinders, or rollers having surfaces at right angles to eachother may be used to form anglesection bars. Whereas this process isapplicable to the formation of bars having simple profiles, difficultiesare encountered as soon as profiles are rolled which have differentinclinations or a substantial height. It is also difficult to makeprofiled bars which have side flanges at an angle different from 90. Insuch cases, the end product tends to become corrugated. The difficultiesare mainly due to the fact that when a single roller is used which hasportions having different diameters, the component rollers havedifferent surface velocities so that the feeding of the glass is notuniform throughout the profile. In the outer portions of the glassribbon to be deformed, sagging of the glass ribbon, which is stillplastically deformable and extensible, may occur between the supportingand shaping rollers. As a result, these portions of the ribbon areelongated relative to the middle portion of the glass ribbon so that theouter portions become corrugated. This danger exists mainly when it isdesired to impart to the outer portions of the glass ribbon aninclination which differs from an angle of 90 to the middle portion ofthe glass ribbon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These difficulties are eliminated according tothe invention in that the rollers run at different speeds. Moreparticularly, it is suggested to impart approximately equal surfacevelocities to rollers having a horizontal axis and a horizontal topgeneratrix. The roller bed is divided into different roller areas sothat a separate roller is provided for any area in which the rollersurface has a different spacing from the central axis of the rollers.When viewed in a section taken at right angles to the direction ofmovement of the ribbon, the rollers are suitably driven at differentspeeds. With the aid of a suitable speed-changing transmission, thespeed may be selected so that the surface velocity of rollers having ahorizontal axis and a horizontal top generatrix is approximatelyuniform. For rollers having inclined surfaces the means surface velocityof rollers having a horizontal axis and an inclined top generatrix isash high as or slightly higher than the surface velocity of rollershaving a horizontal axis and a horizontal top generatrix. It has beenfound that with inclined top generatrices which are not unduly long itis sufficient to make the mean surface velocities approximately uniform.When the inclined portion is too long or the surface velocitydifferential is too high, the inclined top generatrix must be dividedand provided on two rollers. To avoid a sagging in the marginal zones,those rollers which are remote from the center of the ribbon aresuitably caused to move at a slightly higher surface velocity than therollers which are closer to the center of the ribbon. More particularly,it is suggested that edge rollers having an inclined top generatrixrelative to the plane of the flat glass are caused to move at a highersurface speed than the adjacent rollers, and the shaped and upturnedmargin of the glass ribbon is subjected to an initial tensile stress.The lead of the surface of the edge rollers is in this case about0.5-1.5 percent. This lead is sufficient for constantly applying to themarginal zone a tensile stress which prevents a sagging of the marginalportions. This lead must be maintained from one roller unit to the nextuntil the glass ribbon has sufficiently solidified to prevent sagging.

The proposed processmay be carried out so that each roller is separatelydriven and some positive coupling is provided between the differentdrive systems. Alternatively, at least one driven roller may driveanother through the intermediary of a speed-changing transmission. Inthat case, only one drive is required. The speed-changing transmissioncontrols the other rollers and drives them at the desired speed. Thespeed-changing gear may advantageously consist of an epicyclictransmission, known per se. A particularly simple design will beeffected if the epicyclic transmission is incorporated in the roller andthe driving and driven rollers and the epicyclic transmission ortransmissions are mounted on one axis. In thiscase the protruding driveelements, and only one axis is required rather than a plurality ofsuccessive axes. Another, advantage resides in that the design is thesame for each set of rollers.

It is an advantage if the angle between the flanges and the base of theprofiled glass bar is 45. The flanges are no longer parallel. Eachflange includes an angle of with the flange on the other side. Theprofiled glass bar is suitably placed so that the hollow side of oneprofiled glass bar faces outwardly and the hollow side of the nextprofiled glass bar faces inwardly. This results in a meandering pattern,which creates a very good architectural effect and virtually precludes afalling of a profiled glass bar from the assembly. Besides, theconnecting surface between two profiled glass ribbons is increased. Thisresults in an improved connection between the profiled glass bars and amuch better seal at the abutting surfaces, which is particularlyimportant.

In a preferred arrangement, the flanges have the same length and thebase is flat. In this case, two glass bars can be placed one beside theother so that the insides and outsides of the bases face each other inalternation. This results in a complete interlock and in a protection ofthe wall against pressure from either side. The particularly favorablestatical properties which are obtained in this way cannot be obtainedwith profiled glass bars which have flanges that are at an angle of 90to the base. The sealing properties are also improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be explained more fullywith reference to illustrative embodiments, which are shown on theaccompanying drawings, but is not restricted to such embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a roller unit comprising rollers on asingle axis,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a modification,

FIG. 3 a side elevation of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 a perspective view showing a finished profiled bar,

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing a wall assembled fromprofiled bars,

FIG. 6 a modification of such wall,

FIG. 7 a sectional view of a manufacturing conveyor with the arrangementof the rollers for shaping the profile according to the invention, and

FIG. 8 is a modification of FIG. 7.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a centralshaft 1, which drives a middle roller 2 and is driven by a gear 3. Ashaft 4 is rotatably mounted on the central shaft 1 and is driven by agear 6 and drives two shaping rollers 5, 5". The shaping rollers 5, 5"are larger in diameter than the middle roller 2. For this reason, thedrive is selected so that the shaping rollers rotate at a lower speedthan the middle roller and all rollers rotate at the same surfacevelocity. Instead of shaping rollers having a cornered axial section,rollers having bevelled end faces may also be used, as well as rollershaving larger or smaller diameters, as required. Another shaft 7 whichis driven by a gear 9 rotates on the shaft 4 and drives two intermediaterollers 8', 8". In the embodiment shown by way of example, theseintermediate rollers have the same diameter as the middle roller 2.Alternatively, they may have another diameter. These rollers will bedriven at the same speed as the middle roller. The surface velocity ofthe previously described roller unit is thus uniform, irrespective ofthe differences in diameter. A shaft 10 on the shaft 7 drives at eachend of the roller unit an edge roller 12, which has a bevelled end face.In the embodiment shown by way of example, these end faces rise at anangle of 45. The velocity of these edge rollers 12 is selected toprovide for a means surface velocity which is about 0.5 percent higherthan the surface velocity of the other rollers. As a result, a slightinitial tensile stress is imparted to the glass ribbon at its edge sothat the ribbon does not sag, in spite of the inclination, and passes ina taut condition from one roller unit to the next. The shaft 10 ismounted at opposite ends of the roller in a bearing bracket 13', 13",which forms a part of the rigid frame of the roller bed. The roller beditself comprises a plurality of roller units, which have differentprofiles so that the glass moving over the different roller unitssettles into the depressions and conforms to the contour of the rollers.The speed of the individual component rollers may be varied according tothe invention.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the drive means for the componentrollers. A single central shaft 14 carries a middle roller 18, twointermediate rollers 19, 19". and two edge rollers 20, 20f and theserollers are driven by drive gears of different size and planet gearsmounted in a holder 16. By means of supporting rings 19 and bearings 20,the individual rollers are rotatably mounted on the central shaft 14 toprevent a lateral tilting of the rollers. The central shaft itself itmounted in roller bed frames, not shown. Upon a rotation of the centralshaft 14, the individual rollers are driven by the drive gears 15 andthe planet gears 16 at different speeds, as the drive gears 15 andplanet gears 16 are of different size. Only a single drive on thecentral shaft is required. Owing to the provision of the epicyclictransmissions, the various component rollers are automatically driven atdifferent speeds. The central rollerhas the lowest speed. Theintermediate rollers 19 have a slight lead and the edge rollers 20 havea further lead by about 0.5-1.5 percent. As has been describedhereinbefore, the inclined end faces 21 impart an initial stress to theglass edge. It will be understood that the epicyclic transmission mayalso be used with roller units as shown in FIG. 1 or different rollerunits for W- or M-sections or combinations thereof. In FIG. 4, theprofiled bar comprises a flat base and two flanges, which are at anangle of 45 with respect to said base. The length of the profiled barmay be selected as required and the profiled bar may be cut to therequired length in usual manner if this is required. The flanges havingan inclination of 45 substantially increase the strength, particularlythe buckling strength and stiffness and the breakage resistance of theprofiled glass product, greatly beyond the corresponding values ofprofiled glass bars having flanges at right angles to the base and thesame height measured at right angles to the flat base. FIG. 5 showsprofiled glass bars placed one besides the other. The placing of theprofiled glass bars is such that the flanges abut. The recess which isdefined by the stop face of the base and the insides of the flangesfaces in different direction with adjacent profiled glass bars. Theflanges support each other. This imparts an increased strength to thewall and there is no need for special means for connecting the barsother that the usual cementing. The sealing surface is larger than withprofiled glass bars having right-angled flanges. FIG. 6 shows amodification of the placing. In this case, two walls as shown in FIG. 6are placed so that the profiled glass bars face each other inalternation with their outside and inside. This improves the initialsupport of the bars;,the sealing surface is much increased and theinsulating properties are also improved.

The profiled glass bar is made from a flat glass ribbon which is shapedin a manner known per se on an overflow glass tank, where the glassribbon moves, e.g., between two rolls. The flat glass ribbon is then fedto a shaping section, which has middle base rollers 23 having ahorizontal top generatrix, and outer rollers having a top generatrixwhich is inclined to the top generatrix of the base rollers 23. Thisinclination increases from roller unit to roller unit until the desiredinclination of 45 has been obtained. FIGS. 7 and 8 show two differentembodiments of roller units in which the outer rollers have a topgeneratrix at an angle of 45 to the horizontal top generatrix of themiddle roller. As is apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, the middle roller 23having a horizontal top generatrix is rotatable on an axis and driven ata constant speed. According to FIG. 7, the outer rollers 25 consist oftwo conical frustums, which are also rotatable on the shaft 24 but areseparately driven. The means for driving the roller having a horizontaltop generatrix and the means for driving the conical frustums arecoupled so that the surface of the conical frustums leads by about 0.5-1.5 percent relative to the surface speed of the middle roller havinga horizontal top generatrix. The outer rollers may be driven separatelyfrom the middle roller or a speed-changing transmission may be disposedbetween the outer rollers 25 and the middle roller 23, which has ahorizontal top generatrix. FIG. 8 shows a modification of thisarrangement. The outer rollers 26 consist here of cylindrical rollers,which are rotatably mounted on a shaft which is at an angle of 45 to theaxis 24. The speed of the outer rollers 26 is selected so that theirsurface speed is higher by about 0.5-1.5 percent than the surface of themiddle roller 23 having a horizontal top generatrix. The rollers 26 havea uniform surface velocity throughout their length. The rollers 25 shownin FIG. 7 have an increasing surface velocity so that flange portionswhich have a larger spacing from the base 1 have a higher initial stressowing to a larger lead of the associated component roller than thoseportions of the profiled glass ribbon which are nearer to the base. By asuitable variation of the inclination of the shafts and a use of conicalfrustums having a desired surface inclination, any desired speedvariation and distribution of lead in the formation of the flanges maybe obtained.

, The invention permits of numerous variations within its scope. Forinstance, other speed-changing transmissions may be used; the individualgears may be coupled according to FIG. 1 and any desired profiles,including round profiles, may be defined by the rollers. Withroundprofiles it may also be suitable to divide the rollers into differentsections running at different speeds. Each roller may be separatelydriven. A coupling may be provided with gears, e.g., by worm gearings,or other types of gearings.

' What we claim is:

l. A process for the continuous production of a profiled glass bar,comprising the steps of feeding a plastically deformable glass ribbonalong a transport path, engaging a central portion of said ribbon with acentral roll surface having a horizontal generatrix and a horizontalaxis, and lateral portions of said ribbon with outer roll surfaceshaving generatrices lying at an angle to the horizontal, and drivingsaid outer roll surfaces at a higher surface speed than that of saidcentral roll surface.

2. The process defined in claim 1, further comprising the step ofengaging said ribbon with a pair of intermediate roll surfaces havingsubstantially horizontal generatrices and flanking said central rollsurface inwardly of said outer roll surfaces and driving saidintermediate roll surfaces with a surface speed interrnediate that ofsaid outer roll surfaces and said central roll surfaces.

3. The process defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediate rollsurfaces and said central roll surface are coaxial and of substantiallyequal diameters.

4. The process defined in claim 2 wherein the generatrices of said outerroll surfaces lying in a vertical plane are inclined at angles of about45 to the horizontal.

tral roller; a pair of lateral rollers coaxial with and flanking saidcentral roller and having generatrices inclined to said horizontalgeneratrix while being engageable with portions of said ribbon outwardlyoutside said central portion; and gear means connecting said outerrollers with said shaft and dimensioned to drive said outer rollers at asurface speed which is 0.5 to 1.5 percent greater than the surface speedof said central roller k IF I!

1. A process for the continuous production of a profiled glass bar,comprising the steps of feeding a plastically deformable glass ribbonalong a transport path, engaging a central portion of said ribbon with acentral roll surface having a horizontal generatrix and a horizontalaxis, and lateral portions of said ribbon with outer roll surfaceshaving generatrices lying at an angle to the horizontal, and drivingsaid outer roll surfaces at a higher surface speed than that of saidcentral roll surface.
 2. The process defined in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of engaging said ribbon with a pair of intermediateroll surfaces having substantially horizontal generatrices and flankingsaid central roll surface inwardly of said outer roll surfaces anddriving said intermediate roll surfaces with a surface speedintermediate that of said outer roll surfaces and said central rollsurfaces.
 3. The process defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediateroll surfaces and said central roll surface are coaxial and ofsubstantially equal diameters.
 4. The process defined in claim 2 whereinthe generatrices of said outer roll surfaces lying in a vertical planeare inclined at angles of about 45* to the horizontal.
 5. The processdefined in claim 2 wherein the surface speeds of said outer rollsurfaces is 0.5 to 1.5 percent greater than the surface speed of saidcentral roll surface.
 6. An apparatus for the production of profiledglass bars comprising a central roller arrangement having a centralgenerally cylindrical roller rotatable about a generally horizontal axisand having a substantially horizontal generatrix while being engageablewith a central portion of a glass ribbon; a shaft coaxial with anddrivingly connected to said central roller; a pair of lateral rollerscoaxial with and flanking said central roller and having generatricesinclined to said horizontal generatrix while being engageable withportions of said ribbon outwardly outside said central portion; and gearmeans connecting said outer rollers with said shaft and dimensioned todrive said outer rollers at a surface speed which is 0.5 to 1.5 percentgreater than the surface speed of said central roller.